A traditional healer accused of violating a grave and the corpse of a two-year-old boy at Tsinstabis settlement in the Oshikoto Region last October has been remanded in police custody by the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court.

Lukas Sikerete made his second appearance before Magistrate Adolf Namushinga, who denied him bail pending further investigations into the matter.

Appearing before the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court, Sikerete pleaded not guilty to the charges he is facing of unlawfully and intentionally violating a grave and disturbing the remains of Albert Gauswas.

A shortage of water in the Oshikoto Region has unleashed devastating effects on humans, livestock, and projects.

Some residents are forced to travel long distances to buy water, both for their own consumption and for livestock.

Some villagers, such as Shikongo Mingeli from Omutsegwonime, still have no access to potable water.

The 85-year-old travels 40 kilometres to and from Omuthiya to buy water for consumption for his family and their livestock.

It is a costly exercise.

Unity and peace are prerequisites for the development of any given country.

These were the remarks of Swapo Party Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah when she addressed a rally at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region.

Nandi-Ndaitwah says bringing prosperity to the people remains one of the goals of the Swapo Party.

This can only be achieved through unity, and she called on all members to rally behind the leadership that was elected at last year's party congress.

Teachers from various schools in the Oshikoto Region engaged President Hage Geingob and raised concerns around businesses benefiting from state tenders, using foreign expertise over locals.

The teachers from Tsumeb English Medium, Ontana Combined School, and Nehale Secondary School are accompanying learners from grades seven to twelve who are on a school tour to the |Khomas Region.

The more than N$71 million Onkumbula Police Station was inaugurated in the Oshikoto Region.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo stated that the construction of such infrastructure is a true reflection of the government's commitment to enhancing safety and security in the country.

Thirteen members have been deployed at the station, which is equipped with two 4x4 pickups.

The station comprises a charge office with five offices, a boardroom, Pol-seven, and Pol-ten, an armoury room, radio and server rooms, a kitchen, and ablution facilities.

The government continues to avail resources to improve the accommodation of police officers.

The latest is N$3,8 million spent on the construction of police barracks at King-Nehale police control gate in the Oshikoto Region.

The construction of the barracks, which comprise six rooms and other components, started in 2020 and was completed a year later.

NAMPOL Inspector General Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says decent accommodation contributes to the improvement of policing services.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba also laid a wreath at the grave of the late Omukwaniilwa GwaNdonga Shikongo Shakalulu at Omandongo Village in the Oshikoto Region.

Shakalulu died in 1874.

According to Mbumba, Shakalulu is widely recognised as someone who introduced Christianity to the northern region.

He was a revered warrior, a traditional leader, and a pioneer in promoting literacy among the people.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba continues with his visits to the northern parts of the country.

Mbumba visited the Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital in the Oshikoto Region, one of the oldest hospitals in the north of Namibia.

The Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital was built by missionaries under the leadership of Dr. Selma Rainio from Finland.

Onandjokwe has now joined the ranks of Katutura, Oshakati, and Rundu as an intermediate referral hospital.